Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 01 > Entry
Are Clear lanes worth the money?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport now have the option of paying extra to zip through security lanes.
To use the Clear lanes, passengers pay a $128 annual fee and, so far, more than 11,000 customers in Atlanta have signed on, said Steven Brill, whose New York-based company, Clear, offers the service.
Clear promises a 5-minute travel time through security. The service, which has about 200,000 customers nationwide, is designed primarily for business travelers.
But Hartsfield is considered a jewel in the company’s crown. About 86 million people fly through the airport each year.
Are you a Clear customer? If so, how much time do you think you’ve saved? Any complaints? Or, if you haven’t signed up, would you pay extra to breeze through security?
Comments
By Cliff
October 1, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Worth every penny! I live in Orlando and have been a Clear customer for over 2 years, comes out to about 12 dollars a month, that’s worth being able to get to the airport less than an hour before the flight and through security in less than 5 minutes!!
By Cliff
October 1, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing to stroll up to the Clear lane when the regular line is over 200 plus deep, knowing that you’ll be thru security in about 2-3 minutes. If you don’t check in bags, you can show up 45 minutes before the flight and get to the gate right as boarding starts, timing works out perfect every time!
By Mark
October 2, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this
There are still some kinks to work out with the protocol. For example I now have to pull two forms of identification, my clear card and driver license. My boarding pass is checked twice, once by a clear representative and the TSA. I understand that Clear is reissuing their cards with pictures and the TSA will accept that as a form of identification. Seems weird that I undergo a background check, undergo a biometric check, pay $128 and I have to provide more form of ID. Also x-ray screening process at ATL is still a mess. The TSA lines mix Clear and non-Clear travelers. Yesterday I avoided the Clear x-ray line in favor of shorter lines. I will say that it was great being able to walk right up and get through security. It was my fastest trip through ATL security. It will be interesting to see how the process scales when more people sing up.
By Ayatollah
October 2, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
I wonder how many potential terrorists reading this blog will discover this “easier” way to skirt airport security?
By Jon
October 2, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
In response to Ayatollah’s comments, this program does not involve people skirting airport security. Clear members are screened the same as non-members.
By slim
October 2, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Not a clear customer, but I have no problem with it. Did they add a lane for clear, or use existing lane capacity for clear?
For now it’s fine, but if they ever shift 20+% of lane capacity for clear customers only, it will be interesting.
By Marie
October 23, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
We signed on 2 mos ago and haven’t yet been in an ap that has Clear, so thus far we haven’t reaped any benefit from our $256 investment…Also, we’ve received notice that the price has gone up considerably so that if and when we renew, we’ll have to weight the per-trip cost benefit against just “braving the wait” in security..I personally feel that existing members should be charged at the rate at which they joined, since we’re the “pioneers” who’ve gotten the business off the ground by being willing guinea pigs!